I do still have the pants to make, but I’m not feeling urgent about it. I’m pondering exactly what pants I want.<\/p>\n
I’m really glad I did this whole wardrobe sewing thing, I can tell you. I’m wearing the print skirt, burgundy shell and black sash right now. Put ’em on because I was sick of working in my writin’ chair and went to Border’s today to get some work done[1]<\/a>. I was worried how happy I’d be with all of this, and concerned because of the time and effort. But you know? It has turned out quite well.<\/p>\n What really makes me happy is that I have a wardrobe <\/em>instead of a lot of clothes that don’t really relate or go together. Barring being invited to a fancy dress ball, I’ve pretty much got clothes that work just about anywhere depending on how I dress the outfits up or down with accessories. I could go to a barbecue in what I’m wearing right now, or mix-n-match for a nice evening out.<\/p>\n What’s also really nice is that I have a really clear idea of what I can add over time so that everything is still nice and pulled together. I know what colors of yarn to buy for sweaters because I have the swatch card in my wallet. If I wanna buy a piece of clothing[2]<\/a> same\/same. Having<\/em> the base wardrobe? It’s hard to explain how nice this is.<\/p>\n The next time I get a hare across my ass to do a lot of sewing, I have the basics that I can build on. \u00a0If I wanna add a really nice lined wool charcoal gray skirt? I know that I have pieces it’ll work with. Will I be adding nicer, tailored clothes in time? \u00a0Of course. \u00a0It’s just that I had almost no money and nothing to work with to begin with. Now I have plenty of “nice” clothes where I can afford to take the time and money to make the lined wool pants[3]<\/a>, make the really good jackets and silk blouses and so on.<\/p>\n I like to dress well<\/em> and frankly haven’t done it since my son was born. I was a stay at home mom at first, and felt like I didn’t have a good excuse to “dress”, nor did I have the sewing skills to create a really nice wardrobe cheaply. Then I went through a galloping eccentric stage which I certainly don’t regret. Now, as a writer, I sometimes feel I have even less excuse to “dress” than I did. I’ve spent most of the last year in sweats or broomstick skirts unless I was teaching. But hey… I can sew, like it and can make a good wardrobe really cheaply, so why the heck not?<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Unlikely. I really<\/em> enjoy sewing, and half the fun of my clothes is the kick I get out wearing something I made myself.<\/p>\n
[1]<\/a> God, I love being a writer<\/p>\n